A lockable gate will soon be installed on a forestry road near Toko Mouth after concerns were voiced about poaching and illegal dumping.
City Forests Ltd has requested permission to install and lock a gate on the road at its Sallys Gully Rd intersection with Toko Mouth Rd to restrict and regulate access.
In a report to the Clutha District Council's district assets committee earlier this month, council staff said City Forests had safety and security concerns within its commercial forestry block alongside Sallys Gully Rd between Toko Mouth and Milton.
In requesting permission from the council, City Forests cited concerns about poachers, possible fire hazards, and public traffic hazards because most traffic was logging trucks or forestry workers' vehicles.
It also said harvesting could be a hazard to uncontrolled road users because some trees were near the road. City Forests also said it wanted to prevent illegal and dangerous rubbish dumping.
City Forests is the largest of the three landholders using the road - the others being Wenita Forest Products and Rayonier NZ Ltd (by lease from Clutha District Council) - and all landholders agree with the proposal.
Other gated roads in the district include Wilkinson Rd, near Waihola, and Black Swamp Rd, near Berwick.
Council staff said that the installation of the gate would be permitted for an initial two-year period with a few conditions including ''bona fide'' users to be given reasonable access, the gate to be of a safe construction, secure but still allowing pedestrian access, clearly visible, and with good signs.
